What are secondary traits according to personality psychology?

Secondary traits in personality psychology refer to preferences, attitudes, and behaviors that are more situational and less influential on a person's overall behavior compared to primary traits. These traits can be observed in specific contexts but do not typically drive fundamental behavior in the same way dominant or core traits do. Essentially, secondary traits contribute to the nuances of an individual’s personality, offering insights into their likes, dislikes, and specific behavioral tendencies in certain situations, but they do not dominate their personality structure.

This understanding aligns with the broader framework of personality theories, where traits are often organized into a hierarchy, with primary traits doing the bulk of the work in shaping personality and behavior, while secondary traits provide additional depth and variability. Such a distinction helps psychologists better understand how complex and dynamic human behavior can be, taking into account the influence of context and circumstance on a person's actions.